VX Racing end on a high at BTCC Rockingham

VX Racing’s Matt Neal put in stunning performances at 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Rockingham, Northamptonshire, securing his first-ever Vauxhall race win for the Luton-based manufacturer to begin his hunt for the championship title.

VX Racing came away from Northamptonshire still heading the pack in all three championship standings, with Fabrizio Giovanardi leading the BTCC Drivers’ Championship by seven points.

Race one
VX Racing’s Matt Neal clinched his second podium position for the team in the first race at Rockingham, following great on-track battles.

Neal, who started from second on the grid in his Vectra VXR, had a nose-to-tail fight with the SEAT of Darren Turner in the early stages of the race. Despite running wide coming into Deene due to the slippery surface when the rain started to fall, Neal kept a cool head and fought his way back to take third place.

Tom Onslow-Cole started from sixth on the grid and diced closely throughout the 16-lap race with team-mates Neal and Fabrizio Giovanardi. The 20-year-old, who set the fastest lap of the race on lap two in the Vectra VXR, brought home a solid seventh place in the end.

The reigning BTCC Champion Giovanardi meanwhile was also fighting for positions with Mat Jackson’s BMW and also finished in the points, coming home in fifth.

Race two
A second podium position was to follow for the reigning BTCC Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Champion thanks to Giovanardi, who stormed through the field to take second place.

Starting from fifth on the grid, the Italian had a flying start which saw him right behind the SEAT of Darren Turner in second place. Following a brief safety car period, Giovanardi was fighting for the lead with Turner. Giovanardi managed to charge past the SEAT driver following an off from his rival, however, in making the pass the Italian suffered slight damage to his right rear wheel.

Giovanardi was unable to hold on to his lead and had to settle for a solid second position in the end.

Team-mates Matt Neal and Tom Onslow-Cole suffered from a slow start off the line, but managed to fight their way back through the field. Neal was caught by the BMW of Stephen Jelley on lap 14 though, meaning the Vectra VXR driver lost valuable positions. Neal finished the race in 12th place, whilst Onslow-Cole came home in sixth to score yet more points for VX Racing.

Race three
VX Racing’s Matt Neal had the drive of the day by winning his first-ever race for the team starting from 11th on the grid.

The race got underway with a delayed start following heavy rain showers that continued throughout the race. Neal made impressive progress lap-by-lap, overtaking his rivals to claim the lead from Colin Turkington (BMW) at the end of lap 16 of the 18 lap race.

The reigning BTCC Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi started his race from seventh on the grid and was able to make up two places during the chaotic race, which saw the safety car being deployed once for three laps.

Tom Onslow-Cole’s good run from the earlier two races was brought to a sudden halt when the 20-year-old was caught in the mid-field jostle, forcing him to retire from the race.

Matt Neal #4
“There was so much water out there in the third race, it was really difficult to get the car under control. I was not able to see what was going on behind me, but I kept in touch with the team and they let me know what was happening.

“I’m absolutely overwhelmed, I’m really happy to win my first race for VX Racing. It was a great weekend for us and I also got another podium position with my third place in race one.

Fabrizio Giovanardi #1
“It was a strange weekend for me. It could have been worse considering the issues we had in qualifying on Saturday.

“I struggled throughout the third race as my car was set-up for dry weather conditions and it was just too wet out there for me to really attack.

“I got a podium place which I’m happy about but at Donington Park we will be pushing for victory again.”

Tom Onslow-Cole #10
“I’m happy with my weekend. I finished in the points twice and I feel so comfortable within the team now and with the car.

“I felt during race one both Fabrizio and Matt benefited from being more experienced in the wet. Despite my slow start for the second race, I was still able to fight back through the field to make up some places.

“Overall I’m happy with my weekend, but I would have liked to finish the day with another points finish.”